Alice and the Fly - Softcover

Rice, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1444799517 ISBN 13: 9781444799514

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, 2015

Synopsis

This is a book about phobias and obsessions, isolation and dark corners. It's about families, friendships, and carefully preserved secrets. But above everything else it's about love. Finding love - in any of its forms - and nurturing it.

Miss Hayes has a new theory. She thinks my condition's caused by some traumatic incident from my past I keep deep-rooted in my mind. As soon as I come clean I'll flood out all these tears and it'll all be ok and I won't be scared of Them anymore. The truth is I can't think of any single traumatic childhood incident to tell her. I mean, there are plenty of bad memories - Herb's death, or the time I bit the hole in my tongue, or Finners Island, out on the boat with Sarah - but none of these are what caused the phobia. I've always had it. It's Them. I'm just scared of Them. It's that simple.

A spellbinding debut novel about a boy with severe arachnophobia by an exceptional new young British talent.

About this title

About the Author

James Rice lives in Liverpool. In 2011 he completed an MA in Writing at Liverpool John Moores University and has since finished his debut novel, Alice and the Fly-- the first chapter of which won the Writing On The Wall Festival's novel-writing competition Pulp Idol. He also writes short stories, several of which have been published, and writes songs with his friend Josh, which he sings in a very high-pitched voice people have charitably referred to as "unique." He is currently working on his second novel.

Review

"Debut novelist Rice has turned in an extraordinarily accomplished effort, beautifully plotted and structured, emotionally resonant, and filled with multidimensional characters, especially, of course, Greg, whose condition of being is never less than persuasive -and that will excite a keen empathy from readers. May he have many of them."―Booklist, Starred Review

''This is a novel about loneliness, and Rice vividly evokes the isolation of all those trapped inside the need to present a socially valid exterior. His writing is fuelled by a powerful sense of empathy, even for those whose aspirations he so expertly ridicules. For all the bleakness it portrays Alice and the Fly is an oddly uplifting novel.''

― The Guardian

"Alice and the Fly is a darkly quirky story of love, obsession and fear. A disconcerting but beautiful story hung around the enchanting and heartbreaking voice of teenager Greg."

―Anna James, The Bookseller

''One of the most stunning debuts I've read in a long time. The talent behind it is huge.''
―Helen Walsh, author of The Lemon Grove

"gives a good insight into the unstable mind of a troubled young man, and I would definitely read more from this author."―A House of Books

"It's thrilling, gripping, heart-stopping and somehow moving at the same time. This isn't a story for the weak of heart. I'm still blown away that this is actually the author's debut and I'll definitely be checking out whatever he puts out next."―Quite the Novel Idea

"The novel takes on a disturbing and creepy feeling as it progresses and I couldn't dare put it down."―Book Likes

"It is no small feat to get into the mind of a disturbed teen. But James Rice does so skillfully in his debut novel . . . Rice propels readers into and beyond J.D. Salinger territory . . . This book may make readers take another look at the misfits among us whom we dismiss at their - and society's - peril."
―Star Tribune


"the world needs more books like this"―Silke Reads and Writes

Edition details

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1444799517
• ISBN 13: 9781444799514
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 323